THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 31, 6 February 1901, Page 2

THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

ARRIVAL AT INVERCARGILL.

[By Telegraph—Press] Association.]

Invercargill, last night. The Imperial troops arrived at Invercargill from the Bluff at 12.15 to-day. The weather was magnificent, and there was an enormous assemblage to welcome them. All the windows were crowded, and the roofs of buildings, some threestoried, showed a sea of faces. The Acting-Premier welcomed the visitors, who were vociferously cheered.

ENTHUSIASM ALONG THE LINE. Dunedin, last night. The Imperial troops after leaving Invercargill, stopped at Gore for one hour. They were marched to the Show Ground, where they were entertained at luncheon, being met by the Mayor and Mr McNab, M.11.R. The troops wore entliustically cheered at Clinton, where a live minutes’ stay was made. The crowd gave them an enthusiastic reception at Balclutha, where als minutes’ stay was made. An equally cordial reception was given by a largo crowd at Milton. A stay of an hour was made here. A supper of a high order was prepared for the men in St. George’s Hall, while the officers were entertained at Coomb’s Hotel, the Mayor welcoming them and Colonel Wyndham responding. At every station on the whole line of route the crowds collected and cheered the train* as it passed. Tlio first train reached Dunedin at 10.45, having made the run in five hours. Here a tremendous crowd gathered in the Triangle. The scene was of a most enthusiastic nature, and the sea of faces, lit up by flaring lights, presented a weird but cftectivc sight. The men disembarked from the train amidst tremendous cheering, and wore drawn up in the triangle Here they were told oil' in sections, each of which was accompanied by a number of volunteers. The men were marched oil to particular rendezvous appointed. At each rendezvous, those who had agreed to take the men were waiting, and each soldier was at once taken to the house where he was to be a guest. Tho arrangements appear to work satisfactorily. Colonel Wyndham and ofliccrs and men are delighted with tho reception accorded them, and tho manner in. which they have been treated.

Dunedin, midnight. The crowd remained until midnight, by which time the last sections of the Imperial troops away. As each section passed they wore enthusiastically cheered, and many in the crowd must have cheered themselves hoarse. To-morrow the troops will parade at noon. The officers will bo entertained by the district officers in tho afternoon, and the men will be entertained at a smoke concert in the evening. Everything so far has passed off without a hitch. INVITATION TO GISBORNE. At the meeting of the Borough Council last night the Mayor said he had sent the following telegram to the Acting-Pre-mier : —“ General desire that Imperial troops should when passing Gisborne land for a short time. Arrangements for disembarking them on arrival aro complete. Would strongly urge you to arrange for the' landing of the troops for the first time on the historic spot where Captain Cook first landed in New Zealand.” To the Hon. J. Carroll he telegraphed': “ I have wired Hon. J. G. Ward urging that Imperial troops should, on passing, land for short time in Gisborne, and I would ask you to assist us in the matter. lam sure it would give general satisfaction to settlers here.—J. Townloy.” The following reply was received from Mr Ward : —“ If it is possible to arrange to land troops at Gisborne I will do so, but I cannot wire you definitely at present. In the meantime, lot mo know what the arrangements are, and how long it would take to land nine hundred officers and men, —J. G. Ward.” His Worship said that Messrs Kennedy and Evans had offered to allow the use of then- lighters free, and ho believed tho Union Company and Messrs Nelson Bros, would assist in the same way. He thought that two hours each way would bo sufficient tune to allow for landing and reshipment. A great deal would depend on the weather. Or J ones : How are you going to supply 900 men with food ? Cr Harding: The whole thing can be done for .£l5O. Cr Jones : It is easy to say, but it is not so easy to raise it. The question for us to consider is whether it is wise to go to the expense. Cr Kennedy: We cannot climb down now. The Mayor: Yes, we can; Mr Ward would probably be relieved in his mind if we did not press the matter further. Cr Jones : I would certainly like to soe them here. The Mayor said that the County Chairman (Mr Macfarlano) was in favor of an effort being made to secure the visit. Cr Nolan : It would be a grand advertisement for the district. A lot of smaller towns are inviting them. Wo pride ourselves on being among the largo ones, and why should we be behind the others ? Cr J ones: It is only a question of expense ; if we can raise the .money, so much the better, Cr Nolan: I think we can get the money quick enough. Cr Johnston : If it is only to give the young people a treat, we should endeavour to get the Imperial soldiers here. It is something that is not likely to occur again.

Cr Harding : It will be a great pity if we cannot get them here. Cr Kennedy said they could reply stating that the troops could be embarked in two hours.

Cr Joyce-: Ask the Government to give us £IOO to entertain them. (Laughter.) They spond money more foolishly than that sometimes.

Cr Jones :If they do come, we will not be so niggardly as some of the places in the South.

Cr Hepburn : Wellington said that the Government had invited them and could entertain them.

Cr Nolan said he did not think they could come, but they could be given a cordial invitation.

Cr Harding moved that a reply be sent that arrangements- could be made to land the troops in two hours, and then when they got word the troops were eomin" they could put their shoulders to the wheel. Gisborne had never been behind in matters of this sort, and he thought they would be quite equal to the occasion in this instance.

Cr Kennedy: Hear, hear. The Mayor seconded the motion, saying that he did not think any lavish entertainment would be thought of. . There was some discussion as to the time that would bo taken to land the troops, Cr Joyce thinking that it would take more than two hours.

The Town Clerk said that it would be necessary to get permission from the Collector of Customs.

The Mayor said he did not think there would be any difficulty in getting that, Cr Nolan : If we get an army here what do we care for the officer ? (Laughter). Cr Jones : If he let them in and refused to let them go back it would be a bit awkward. (Laughter). It was stated that if the troops came

they would probably bo four hours on shore. •

It was resolved that the Borough aud County Councillors coinpriso the committee ; also that anyone who would give assistance be welcomed as a member of the committee.